In my case this will be done by the controller for the LCD up/down. I've seen ardiuno based StartUp/ShutDown controllers.

It's not a good idea to use the signal from the door lock motor, because you could lock the car from inside. Many people when exiting my car pushes the lock button by accident. This would make the PC shut down, but you don't want that. There are other situations too when you lock/unlock the car but you don't mean StartUP/ShutDown the PC. So the most clever way is to use electronic device whether it will be arduino based or like mine - custom professionally made one. Mine is made especially for controlling these monitors + PC in a VOLVO P2 cars, and that was why I suggested you to give you the coordinates of the engineer who made it for me.

To be clear: it's not a advertisement. This guy integrated a genuine GARMIN navi unit into the VOLVO Screen rti mechanics. Here is part of his worklog click (in Bulgarian, sorry). He is an engineer and his job is just right this - to design the electronics for automated devices - parking lots, auto car-wash lots and so on. A mouth latter he made for him self a controller for his needs - to lift the screen up and to power the Garmin unit (the one pictured in my previous post). I saw it and I asked him whether he would made some corrections to that controller, so that it would meet my needs. He said yes (he is almost done right now). I don't know the price, because he is my friend (member of Volvo Club Bulgaria) and he was so kind to tell me that and I'll pay only the electronic components and the PCB itself. His work will be free for me, but I'll have to wait for him to get some free time for this. I'm pretty sure he could make custom unit for most of hour CarPC needs. If anyone is interested in this, I'll give you his coordinates.

Hope that in the next few weeks I'll be ready with my PCB's for the Flat Flexible Cable, and the controller will be here too. Then I'll make a video describing what it does, how and why.
Meanwhile if you got any questions - just ask. :)

04-04-2013, 04:53 AM

xavipetit

i want to know how you connect the vga in the lcd board to your pcb board (photos if it si possible) because now i have the connection with wires.

and i agree with you is not great idea turn the pc when unlock the car........

ok.- i see. but you built this pcb???
or a specialist built the pcbs?????
is a great idea because i have all with wires and this is better than my screen.... i thik to make like you....

04-05-2013, 05:12 PM

VolvoCarPC

The PCB's pictured in my previous post WILL be made by me.
And because this is my first attempt in making a DIY PCB I decided to make a model of them first. That seems to be a good idea, because I found some errors in the easier way :)
Hope that this weekend I'll be etching and soldering the real ones :)

I'm using CorelDraw to draw it. I know there are special software for PCB's. Some of them are free. But, hey I'm good with Corel and definitely I'll make it faster compared to learning some other soft...
However if you want the CorelDraw file, just ask. I'm pretty sure you'll need to make some corrections so that it would fit for you. Probably your elements would have different footprints, but if you wish I will give you the order numbers from farnell catalogue.

To be clear: I build the PCB's for connecting the non-moving with moving part of the mechanics. Controller + StrartUp/ShutDown is made by a professional.

04-06-2013, 03:57 AM

xavipetit

but you need to change the connections in the lcd board controler or use the same conecctions???? this is my question...

04-09-2013, 02:41 PM

xavipetit

The place of you computer?? in the trunk? or where????

04-09-2013, 10:27 PM

VolvoCarPC

Quote:

Originally Posted by xavipetit

but you need to change the connections in the lcd board controller or use the same connections???? this is my question...

I guess you didn't read the thread from the beginning, but it's OK. We all don't :)
The PC itself is a Intel mobo (motherboard) - BN2800MT, fitted in a box of stock Volvo 6 CD changer. The 6 cd changer in P2 old volvo's (1999-2002) is used for navi CD's and is useless for me, but is great for PC box, because it could be fitted in the trunk using the stock bracket for it. And what's more - it's close to the battery, has a stock view, there are cable canals going next to it. REM is near, too so that I could use some of the free fuse places and rewire them for my needs.